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January 26, 2009

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President Barack Obama presented a humble and conciliatory face of America to the Islamic world Monday in the first formal interview since he assumed office, stressing his own Muslim ties and shying away from any hint of belligerence even when asked if he could “live with” an Iranian nuclear weapon.

The interview with the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya Network was a dramatic piece of public diplomacy aimed at capitalizing on the new American president’s international popularity.

“I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries,” Obama said, according to a White House transcript. “My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy.”

Obama’s dramatic shift Monday was one of tone, not of policy, and he also affirmed America’s support for Israel.

“Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States. And I will continue to believe that Israel's security is paramount,” he said. “But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace. They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side.”

The Al Arabiya interview, directed squarely at Muslims around the world, revived a vision of personal, symbolic international change that was in the air when Obama – with his far-flung family members, and complicated story – launched his campaign. It was a vision, and an aspect of his story, that the candidate buried when, in 2007, was forced to combat whispering campaigns about his own faith.

But by giving his first interview to the Arabic network, Obama signaled his continuing belief in his personal power as a symbol of America against the temptations of Islamic militancy. He even dismissed “bankrupt” ideas and policies that don’t improve children’s health care, jabbing at “nervous” Al Qaeda leaders in language that echoed his campaign against George W. Bush.

Full transcript after the jump.

Internal Transcript January 26, 2009

INTERVIEW OF THE PRESIDENT

BY

HISHAM MELHEM, AL ARABIYA

Map Room

5:46 P.M. EST

Q Mr. President, thank you for this opportunity, we really appreciate it.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much.

Q Sir, you just met with your personal envoy to theMiddle East, Senator Mitchell. Obviously, his first task is to consolidate the cease-fire. But beyond that you've been saying that you want to pursue actively and aggressively peacemaking between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Tell us a little bit about how do you see your personal role, because, you know, if the President of the United States is not involved, nothing happens -- as the history of peacemaking shows. Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did? Or just urging the parties to come up with their own resolutions, as your immediate predecessor did?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think the most important thing is for the United States to get engaged right away. And George Mitchell is somebody of enormous stature. He is one of the few people who have international experience brokering peace deals.

And so what I told him is start by listening, because all too often the United States starts by dictating -- in the past on some of these issues -- and we don't always know all the factors that are involved. So let's listen. He's going to be speaking to all the major parties involved. And he will then report back to me. From there we will formulate a specific response.

Ultimately, we cannot tell either the Israelis or the Palestinians what's best for them. They're going to have to make some decisions. But I do believe that the moment is ripe for both sides to realize that the path that they are on is one that is not going to result in prosperity and security for their people. And that instead, it's time to return to the negotiating table.

And it's going to be difficult, it's going to take time. I don't want to prejudge many of these issues, and I want to make sure that expectations are not raised so that we think that this is going to be resolved in a few months. But if we start the steady progress on these issues, I'm absolutely confident that the United States -- working in tandem with the European Union, with Russia, with all the Arab states in the region -- I'm absolutely certain that we can make significant progress.

Q You've been saying essentially that we should not look at these issues -- like the Palestinian-Israeli track and separation from the border region -- you've been talking about a kind of holistic approach to the region. Are we expecting a different paradigm in the sense that in the past one of the critiques -- at least from the Arab side, the Muslim side -- is that everything the Americans always tested with the Israelis, if it works. Now there is an Arab peace plan, there is a regional aspect to it. And you've indicated that. Would there be any shift, a paradigm shift?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, here's what I think is important. Look at the proposal that was put forth by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia --

Q Right.

THE PRESIDENT: I might not agree with every aspect of the proposal, but it took great courage --

Q Absolutely.

THE PRESIDENT: -- to put forward something that is as significant as that. I think that there are ideas across the region of how we might pursue peace.

I do think that it is impossible for us to think only in terms of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and not think in terms of what's happening with Syria or Iran or Lebanon or Afghanistan and Pakistan. These things are interrelated. And what I've said, and I think Hillary Clinton has expressed this in her confirmation, is that if we are looking at the region as a whole and communicating a message to the Arab world and the Muslim world, that we are ready to initiate a new partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interest, then I think that we can make significant progress.

Now, Israel is a strong ally of the United States. They will not stop being a strong ally of the United States. And I will continue to believe that Israel's security is paramount. But I also believe that there are Israelis who recognize that it is important to achieve peace. They will be willing to make sacrifices if the time is appropriate and if there is serious partnership on the other side.

And so what we want to do is to listen, set aside some of the preconceptions that have existed and have built up over the last several years. And I think if we do that, then there's a possibility at least of achieving some breakthroughs.

Q I want to ask you about the broader Muslim world, but let me -- one final thing about the Palestinian-Israeli theater. There are many Palestinians and Israelis who are very frustrated now with the current conditions and they are losing hope, they are disillusioned, and they believe that time is running out on the two-state solution because -- mainly because of the settlement activities in Palestinian-occupied territories. Will it still be possible to see a Palestinian state -- and you know the contours of it -- within the first Obama administration?

THE PRESIDENT: I think it is possible for us to see a Palestinian state -- I'm not going to put a time frame on it -- that is contiguous, that allows freedom of movement for its people, that allows for trade with other countries, that allows the creation of businesses and commerce so that people have a better life.

And, look, I think anybody who has studied the region recognizes that the situation for the ordinary Palestinian in many cases has not improved. And the bottom line in all these talks and all these conversations is, is a child in the Palestinian Territories going to be better off? Do they have a future for themselves? And is the child in Israel going to feel confident about his or her safety and security? And if we can keep our focus on making their lives better and look forward, and not simply think about all the conflicts and tragedies of the past, then I think that we have an opportunity to make real progress.

But it is not going to be easy, and that's why we've got George Mitchell going there. This is somebody with extraordinary patience as well as extraordinary skill, and that's what's going to be necessary.

Q Absolutely. Let me take a broader look at the whole region. You are planning to address the Muslim world in your first 100 days from a Muslim capital. And everybody is speculating about the capital. (Laughter.) If you have anything further, that would be great.

How concerned are you -- because, let me tell you, honestly, when I see certain things about America -- in some parts, I don't want to exaggerate -- there is a demonization of America.

THE PRESIDENT: Absolutely.

Q It's become like a new religion, and like a new religion it has new converts -- like a new religion has its own high priests.

THE PRESIDENT: Right.

Q It's only a religious text.

THE PRESIDENT: Right.

Q And in the last -- since 9/11 and because of Iraq, that alienation is wider between the Americans and -- and in generations past, the United States was held high. It was the only Western power with no colonial legacy.

THE PRESIDENT: Right.

Q How concerned are you and -- because people sense that you have a different political discourse. And I think, judging by (inaudible) and Zawahiri and Osama bin Laden and all these, you know -- a chorus --

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I noticed this. They seem nervous.

Q They seem very nervous, exactly. Now, tell me why they should be more nervous?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think that when you look at the rhetoric that they've been using against me before I even took office --

Q I know, I know.

THE PRESIDENT: -- what that tells me is that their ideas are bankrupt. There's no actions that they've taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.

In my inauguration speech, I spoke about: You will be judged on what you've built, not what you've destroyed. And what they've been doing is destroying things. And over time, I think the Muslim world has recognized that that path is leading no place, except more death and destruction.

Now, my job is to communicate the fact that the United States has a stake in the well-being of the Muslim world, that the language we use has to be a language of respect. I have Muslim members of my family. I have lived in Muslim countries.

Q The largest one.

THE PRESIDENT: The largest one, Indonesia. And so what I want to communicate is the fact that in all my travels throughout the Muslim world, what I've come to understand is that regardless of your faith -- and America is a country of Muslims, Jews, Christians, non-believers -- regardless of your faith, people all have certain common hopes and common dreams.

And my job is to communicate to the American people that the Muslim world is filled with extraordinary people who simply want to live their lives and see their children live better lives. My job to the Muslim world is to communicate that the Americans are not your enemy. We sometimes make mistakes. We have not been perfect. But if you look at the track record, as you say, America was not born as a colonial power, and that the same respect and partnership that America had with the Muslim world as recently as 20 or 30 years ago, there's no reason why we can't restore that. And that I think is going to be an important task.

But ultimately, people are going to judge me not by my words but by my actions and my administration's actions. And I think that what you will see over the next several years is that I'm not going to agree with everything that some Muslim leader may say, or what's on a television station in the Arab world -- but I think that what you'll see is somebody who is listening, who is respectful, and who is trying to promote the interests not just of the United States, but also ordinary people who right now are suffering from poverty and a lack of opportunity. I want to make sure that I'm speaking to them, as well.

Q Tell me, time is running out, any decision on from where you will be visiting the Muslim world?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'm not going to break the news right here.

Q Afghanistan?

THE PRESIDENT: But maybe next time. But it is something that is going to be important. I want people to recognize, though, that we are going to be making a series of initiatives. Sending George Mitchell to the Middle East is fulfilling my campaign promise that we're not going to wait until the end of my administration to deal with Palestinian and Israeli peace, we're going to start now. It may take a long time to do, but we're going to do it now. We're going to follow through on our commitment for me to address the Muslim world from a Muslim capital. We are going to follow through on many of my commitments to do a more effective job of reaching out, listening, as well as speaking to the Muslim world.

And you're going to see me following through with dealing with a drawdown of troops in Iraq, so that Iraqis can start taking more responsibility. And finally, I think you've already seen a commitment, in terms of closing Guantanamo, and making clear that even as we are decisive in going after terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians, that we're going to do so on our terms, and we're going to do so respecting the rule of law that I think makes America great.

Q President Bush framed the war on terror conceptually in a way that was very broad, "war on terror," and used sometimes certain terminology that the many people -- Islamic fascism. You've always framed it in a different way, specifically against one group called al Qaeda and their collaborators. And is this one way of --

THE PRESIDENT: I think that you're making a very important point. And that is that the language we use matters. And what we need to understand is, is that there are extremist organizations -- whether Muslim or any other faith in the past -- that will use faith as a justification for violence. We cannot paint with a broad brush a faith as a consequence of the violence that is done in that faith's name.

And so you will I think see our administration be very clear in distinguishing between organizations like al Qaeda -- that espouse violence, espouse terror and act on it -- and people who may disagree with my administration and certain actions, or may have a particular viewpoint in terms of how their countries should develop. We can have legitimate disagreements but still be respectful. I cannot respect terrorist organizations that would kill innocent civilians and we will hunt them down.

But to the broader Muslim world what we are going to be offering is a hand of friendship.

Q Can I end with a question on Iran and Iraq then quickly?

THE PRESIDENT: It's up to the team --

MR. GIBBS: You have 30 seconds. (Laughter.)

Q Will the United States ever live with a nuclear Iran? And if not, how far are you going in the direction of preventing it?

THE PRESIDENT: You know, I said during the campaign that it is very important for us to make sure that we are using all the tools of U.S. power, including diplomacy, in our relationship with Iran.

Now, the Iranian people are a great people, and Persian civilization is a great civilization. Iran has acted in ways that's not conducive to peace and prosperity in the region: their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe; their support of terrorist organizations in the past -- none of these things have been helpful.

But I do think that it is important for us to be willing to talk to Iran, to express very clearly where our differences are, but where there are potential avenues for progress. And we will over the next several months be laying out our general framework and approach. And as I said during my inauguration speech, if countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us.

Q Shall we leave Iraq next interview, or just --

MR. GIBBS: Yes, let's -- we're past, and I got to get him back to dinner with his wife.

Reader Comments (125)

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Archer is way off the mark.
It "cheapens" the Presidency to address tens of millions of people in the midst of a war for the hearts and minds?
Obama set a record for Press Conferences as President Elect, and conservatives insulted him, saying that he was hogging media attention.
Then, he goes and talks to the foreign media, and conservatives insult him, saying that he's dodging the US media.
Conservatives...you lost Virginia and Indiana to a black guy. Think about that.

Well done. Another major blow against the Islamic extremists. Obama is talking to the PEOPLE of the Arab world, instead of merely throwing bombs and cowboy insults at terrorists. The Washington Post just had an article about this yesterday -- al Qaeda is confused about how to respond to a leader who doesn't fit the stereotypical fairytales they tell about American power. Their support and recruitment depends on this sort of rousing and fearmongering that has now become more difficult.

IN TOTAL AGREEMENT MIKE C.
FOR ONCE, THE MIDDLE NAME "HUSSEIN" CAN BE USED TO OBAMA'S ADVANTAGE AND NOT THE REPUBLICAN'S ADVANTAGE....FOR DIPLOMACY FROM ONE BROWN SKIN MAN OF THE USA TO THE BROWN SKIN MAN OF THE MIDDLE EAST. LETS GIVE PEACE A CHANCE AND RELIEF& SUPPORT TO ISRAEL.
This 20 minute interview did more damage to Al Qaeda than 100 bombs could do.
Posted By: Mike C | January 26, 2009 at 11:49 PM

I hope this approach works however it may also backfire. I remember when Ahmadinejad visited the USA and spoke it wasn't well received by many Americans, many saw it as propaganda. The Arab people may view Obama's words as the same. The comments of his strong support for Israel may be what most Arabs remember from the interview.

Our problems with the middle east countries has always been with the governments, not her people. I don't think Obama attempt to win over the Arab people in this interview will score many points with the Arab leaders. I would assume that they all will view it as being arrogant and condescending. No country likes another world leader trying to win over the hearts and mind of their people and that is exactly what Obama attempted to do.

I was surprised at Rush Limbaugh's diatribe today, saying Our President "was afraid of him". Rush obviously has no knowlege of Black men at all, Black Men do not fear anything. Least of all a blowhard such as Rush. All he does for me is, to turn my stomach. His only weapon is the language of ignorance and hate. I'd like to put Rush in a storefront studio in Harlem on 125th street and let him see for himself how unafraid the Black Man is of him.
ps. I'm a 59yo White man.

The warm and fuzzies of Chairman Obama may beguile half of the American electorate, but the Muslim world might find his interview a bit insincere coming on the heels of his silence in the face of the Israeli slaughter of the Gazans.

The libs in this country will someday realize that somewhere right now there is a terrorist out there laughing at how naive Obama is. 911 was conceived and planned during the Clinton area. They could care less about what Obama has to say. It's the great satin that they want to kill --that includes your grandma.

This guy lies and trash Bush U.S. foreign policy to make himself look good abroad. That's fine, but there will be consequences. Look what happened when he trashed the "Bush" economy to get elected--job loss in 2008: -82,000/month first quarter, -71,000/month 2nd quarter, -199,000/motn 3rd quarter, and -510,000/month 4th quarter. Hating Bush/U.S. appears to be his dogma!!!

So Obama is reaching out to the Muslim World. Glad to see he used his first interview to talk to Muslims. Now they are all going to love us !! Problem solved. Wonder why he refused to speak to anyone at Fox News for eight months. I guess he figures fox's audience is not as "enlightned" as Al Arabiyas audience

"I'd like to put Rush in a storefront studio in Harlem on 125th street and let him see for himself how unafraid the Black Man is of him." -- Peter Brenner

What is this obsession that the Obamorons have with turning Harlem into a white people reeducation camp? First we have Sandra Bernhard advancing the idea that Sarah Palin be raped into enlightenment up there. Now we have this poster who seems to want pretty much the same thing for Rush Limbaugh. Can't the liberals do their own raping? Do they have to go out and get somebody else to do *that* for them too? And really, aren't you politically correct multi-culturalists just perpetuating the stereotype of the black man as an uncivilized brute? Or perhaps your impotent fantasies envision the black woman as your avenger -- African Valkyries coming to the rescue of little sissy liberals whose feelings have been bruised by big mean Sarah and Rush.

If Obama were president when Hussein took over Kuwait, he'd invade Arab lands too. If Iran or Syria threatens Israel, the US will fight to protect it. It doesn't matter if he goes on this feel good routine. The Arab world knows this speech today was just more cheap talk. It's got to be even more upsetting that it came from one of their own than the evil Bush cowboy.

WHY IS THIS EVEN A PARTISAN ISSUE? I can't believe some of the comments here. The only loser here is al Qaeda. The rest of us are winners. Al Qaeda' entire movement in terms of finance and Man-power is dependent on recruitment in the Muslim world. The President of the United states, who is biracial, who has a middle name Hussien has said that he has Muslim relatives and lived in a Muslim country on the Al-Arabiya Network. If you're Al Queda, how on earth do you respond to that? how to demonize that? how do you counter that? In the battle for hearts and minds, this can be more devastating than 50 tomahawk missiles. So what is with all this partisan bickering when we're ALL winners.

The neocons always shoot first and bury the questions. They have no real strategy to speak of and would have the U.S. at war with the entire world because that is what their own religion tells them to do, mixed with their paranoid delusions like, uhm, say WMD's maybe?
We should ALL think very long and hard about a peace initiative, or we might find ourselves, much like the sunni, shia, kurds, israelis, palstinians, in our own holy war in this country based simply on ideology and useless rhetoric.
How many have to die on either side before we finally say ENOUGH!

I'm heartened to see this. If America can help bring about peace in the Middle East through diplomacy, why shouldn't Obama utilize his own personal history to reach out to hearts and minds in that part of the world?

It might just help those who would otherwise take up arms against us to see that there is another way.

It's baffling that in the wake of the national humiliation that was the George W. Bush operation, a person would see Obama's interview with al-Arabiya as a cheapening of the presidency. The President of the United States should be the preeminant world leader. George W. Bush just thought he could tell everybody what they had to do. The world saw him for exactly what he is: smug, disrespectful, and completely bereft of wisdom. He is reviled everywhere for his reckless militarism, and rightly so.
Obama sets the tone that I believe will be at the heart of his foreign policy: The United States recognizes the inherent dignity of all peoples and cultures, the sovereignty of nations, and the legitimacy of governments that abide by international treaties and standards for human rights and do not carry out aggression toward other nations.
This sends a powerful message throughout the world and will have special meaning in Muslim nations. I think there is a little bit in there for the Israelis, too.
As far as the U.S. press feeling snubbed? Please.

A Belated Response: Bush closing statements, Bush complained that he had to make "tough decisions" as President. A "tough decision" was for he and Cheney to have gone to Vietnam, especially since they were (also) for that war. To be a US Soldier and sign up as a result of 9/11 and to end up inexplicably in Iraq, leaving your wife and kids behind (then coming back missing a limb or eye --or not at all)(All the more absurd and difficult since we had two "No Drive/No Fly Zones" with the world's most powerful militaries there, keeping secular anti-AL Qaida Saddam boxed in). Other tough decisions that Bush and Cheney will never have to make, being a single mother and being laid off and somehow feeding your kids (as a result of the Bush years).

A Belated Response: Bush closing statements, Bush complained that he had to make "tough decisions" as President. A "tough decision" was for he and Cheney to have gone to Vietnam, especially since they were (also) for that war. To be a US Soldier and sign up as a result of 9/11 and to end up inexplicably in Iraq, leaving your wife and kids behind (then coming back missing a limb or eye --or not at all)(All the more absurd and difficult since we had two "No Drive/No Fly Zones" with the world's most powerful militaries there, keeping secular anti-AL Qaida Saddam boxed in). Other tough decisions that Bush and Cheney will never have to make, being a single mother and being laid off and somehow feeding your kids (as a result of the Bush years).

The guiding light of Obama's foreign policy is Zbigniew Brezinski. Zbiggy was also Jimmy Carter's guiding light and the man who arguably gave us not only the Ayatollah Khomeni in Iran, but Al Quaida in Afghanistan. Zbiggy's writings clearly point to the fomentation of war in Muslim central Asia for purposes of getting access to the gas and oil resources there. Not that Obama's pledge to increase troops by 30,000 in Muslim Afghanistan, or his pre-election promise to invade our putative ally, Muslim Pakistan, might have anything to do with that.

as a strong, hawkish supporter of israel, i love everything about this interview - that it was his first, to an arab outlet, and everything he said. very fair, not giving away the farm, but also warm. we'll never obliterate the arab world, and so we must calm the situation instead.

Obama Snubs Nation's Heroes, Becomes the First President
to Skip Ball Honoring Medal of Honor Recipients in Over 50 Years
Submitted by Julie on January 21, 2009 - 10:13pm.
2008 News Politics U.S. Government U.S. Politics World Politics
Barack Obama may have stumbled over his words briefly during his
inauguration, but he made an even bigger blunder later Tuesday evening.
The newly sworn-in President opted not to appear at what should have
been one of the most important Balls on his agenda that evening -
"The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball."
The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball was begun in 1953 for President Dwight
Eisenhower's inauguration. The event recognized recipients of the Medal of
Honor, the nation's highest military award. There were 48 Medal of Honor
recipients in attendance, who were undoubtedly disappointed by the new
Commander-in-Chief's failure to show. Over the past 56 years and 14
inaugurations, no President has skipped this event - until now.
The Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball is sponsored by the American Legion,
and co-sponsored by 13 other veteran's service organizations, including
those such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Military Order of
the Purple Heart.
Instead of attending this ball honoring our nation's heroes, Obama was busy
making stops at 10 other official balls. Obama and his wife's first stop was at
the Neighborhood Ball. From there they went to the Home State Ball for Illinois
and Hawaii, the Commander-in-Chief Ball, the Youth Inaugural Ball, and the
Home State Ball for Delaware and Pennsylvania. They finished off the night
with brief appearances at the Mid-Atlantic, Western, Midwest, Eastern, and
Southern regional Balls.
Celebrities were a plenty at the balls, with Stevie Wonder, Shakira, Mary. J. Blige,
Faith Hill, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine, will.i.am, Sting, Mariah Carey, and
Leonardo DiCaprio in attendance at the Neighborhood Ball. In addition, the other
nine balls also featured a star-studded lineup including Kanye West and Kid Rock
at the Youth Ball, Marc Anthony at the Western Ball, and Cheryl Crow at the Western
Ball.
It was the party without all of the celebrities that Obama
skipped. The very people who he sought to have support
him during his candidacy and campaign, who have fought
to protect this country, were snubbed in favor of publicity
and the opportunity to rub shoulders - yet again - with the
out-of-touch Hollywood elite!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SHAME ON YOU PRESIDENT OBAMA. THESE BRAVE MEN CAME TO RESPECT YOU, YET
YOUR BLATANT FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE THEM SENDS THEM AND ALL WHO HAVE FOUGHT TO DEFEND THIS NATION, THE WRONG MESSAGE. MAKE NO EXCUSES MR. PRESIDENT - WE NOW KNOW WHERE VETERANS STAND UNDER YOUR WATCH!
This message needs to be sent around the world 100 times and personally to President Obama on a regular basis. Will you assist in getting that done? Don't add or detract anything to or from this, and also be RESPECTFUL, no matter how you feel about it!

And I just thought of something, the crazy Muslims you see burning down things are like the crazy conservatives you see on these blogs...they are loud, gain attention, but are the minority and embarrass the larger group they are from. However, just like this fringe conservatives are dying out, the fanatic terrorist will dissolve too, especially with actions like Obama just did. (and I few more bombs aimed for Bin Laden)

Rickr..thanks for spreading that false rumor...now I will have to go explaining to all my students how conservative "christian" adults like to LIE and make up junk. That ball you are talking about is not an official ball this year, he went to the commander and chief ball, and has showed mad respect to the military....so thanks.

Well done Mr President! In America we have "bigots" who hate blacks so what do you expect from them about what Obama has communicated to the world and Muslims. we also have our own terrorists--haters evil men living among us.

Obama holding out his hand, communications and expression of "not hatered" toward other races, cultures or faiths. But concern for all the world as a whole, have that right to live in peace. Knowing there are evil men, terrorist who live among, within all races of faith and culters, we have our own also. But it is not acceptable or will be tolerated, nor will we live in fear, no nation should have to. Thanks President -for having high morals and intrity. God Bless you always with his strength and widsom needed to move America forward and ALSO THAT AMERCIA BE ACCEPTABLE IN "YOUR HANDS GOD ALSO!!!

CONSERVATIVES are war mongers "in their own country" cause a divide. They do not care about anyone but themselves and getting elected. Election is their only concern nothing else not even the economy crises. Conservatives are WILLING TO SELL THEIR OWN SOULS FOR IT.

Beautiful start by our leader! Level headed and informed Muslim and American listeners will note that his mentioning of what we all have in common - Our Children's Welfare...delineates the difference between terrorist groups and the humane. Hamas and Al Kaida actually throw out their children like trash by strapping bombs on their backs and by hiding their weapons within civilian communities to dupe the world into thinking Israel attacks civilians deliberately. But the informed among us know better. President Obama chose his words and tone well for a beginning that does not inflame but rather embraces commonalities.

The days are coming when " Suddenly, "your debtors" (who do we owe now to China and others?) will rise up in anger. They will turn on you take all you have, while you stand trembling and helpless" ) Habakkuk 2:7)............. God is not a liar, hates liars. Foreign countries buying up our assets. Why? Thanks to who?

A couple things, Obama is Black not Brown, no difference? Tell that to Darfur. Secondly, hes a abortion and gay marriage supporter. Thats exactly the stuff they hate over there. They want American culture OUT. They think Hollywood culture of free sex gay sex lots of abortions its evil. And it is. They will use him as much as they can, but for most practicing Muslims Obama is far worse then George Bush circa 2000-2002.

Monday, January 26, 2009
IT IS TIME FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDL EAST
President Barack Obama's appointment of former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell as Special Envoy to the Middle East is to be applauded. Senator Mitchell is an even handed, shrewd negotiator. He was the main architect of peace in Northern Ireland, which was probably as difficult an assignment as the Middle East if not more due to the length of that dispute. If anyone can bring peace to the Middle East, Senator Mitchell can, especially with the full backing of President Obama.
Irrespective of Israel's recent misguided foray into Gaza, its Government and leading political parties are talking reality after a long time. For the first time its Prime & Foreign Ministers seem to acquiesce the Saudi monarch's peace formula floated in 2002.
Apart from other obstacles, the disarray of Palestinian political leadership will pose a major problem. Mahmoud Abbas, the President of Palestinian Authority is no longer in a position to speak for all Palestinians as he has no writ over Gaza. He is also looked upon by most Palestinians as a U.S./Israeli plant, hence he lacks credibility. The leadership of Hamas has no writ over the West Bank, so they cannot speak for all of Palestine either.
A new leadership needs to emerge amongst the Palestinians, but much of their future leaders languish in Israeli prisons. One Palestinian leader who can command respect in the West Bank and Gaza alike is MARWAN BARGHOUTI and Israel knows it too. Despite incarceration, Barghouti has been instrumental in starting an education program amongst Palestinian prisoners in Israel. He is also responsible for starting a behind the scenes peace movement. Having split from Fatah, he has started his own Political Party - Al-Mustaqbal - the Future. In 2004 his announcement to run for President of Palestinian Authority ran chills down Fatah's leaders and they had to plead with him to withdraw.
Barghouti is possibly the one leader who can unite and speak for all Palestinians and negotiate with Israel a lasting and a permanent settlement. In time, he can also reduce political influence of Hamas in Gaza. Israel needs to release him and many other Palestinians leaders who are languishing in their prisons for no reason except that they oppose Israeli occupation. I hope one of first tasks Senator Mitchell will do, is ask Israel to release him and other Palestinian leaders immediately.
Soon thereafter Palestinian Authority needs to hold general elections in the West Bank & Gaza so a new leadership can emerge through a popular mandate. This is essential if the United States, Israel and Arab countries want a credible Palestinian peace partner. Meanwhile Israel should open all check points to Gaza, so food and fuel can flow again. Freezing the checkpoints has led to digging of numerous tunnels from Gaza to Egypt. If Israel is seeking a long term settlement, it must show compassion and not restrict humanitarian supplies.
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia's peace plan calls for a complete Israeli withdrawal from territories captured in the 1967 i.e all of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. In return, Israel will not only get recognition from all Arab countries but will have full trading rights with them. This means moving out from the settlements in the West Bank and giving up East Jerusalem. This could pose some political problems for the Israeli Government from right wingers, but Israel has to decide whether it wants to keep fighting for another 60 years or coexist peacefully with a fully empowered Palestinian State next door.
In return, the Palestinians will have to make permanent peace with Israel and forgo all other claims. The refugees expelled from what is now Israel will have to give up their claims in exchange for land in the West Bank.
A great deal of time has been lost due to George W. Bush's foolish policies in the Middle East over the last eight years. However, it is still not too late and if the United States becomes an honest broker, peace in the Middle East can be achieved sooner than most people think.

THE PRESIDENT: "I think it is possible for us to see a Palestinian state ...that is contiguous..." The only thing separating the West Bank and Gaza is Israel. Rhetoric aside, guess I know what Obama wants to do.

No slackerguy, hate seems to be yours. I just love it when the "nutcase quotient" headed by
"Lush Rimbaugh" come out of the closet and start foaming. So long as this continues, we'll know we're on the right track.
2010 is coming and so is an even greater Senate majority. Looks like "Rimbaugh" and the rest had better beg for prescriptions as they're going to need all the drugs they can find.

Finally, a thoughtful and intelligent president who reaches out rather than shoot first and ask questions later. And regarding Limbaugh: He is a commedian to most thinking people. Unfortunately, there are alot of folks who buy into his hate and nonsense, stirring up more hatred. These knuckle draggers are dangerous. It doesn't take much to get them worked up into a hateful frenzy. Just look at the comments on this blog. Scary.

Fools with minds of only empty chatter. Go read and listen to the whole of President Obama interview. We have are idiots here also. Using faith also their own faith (republicans) also for an excuse to force and control others. Hypocrites--some are all pessimistics who choose not the hard way,but hide in their own dark caves.

You know there where only "two men" still alive who entered and stood before the promise land with Moses, from all the millions who followed him. The whole 40 years in the desert only 2 men survied and they were very old and still asked Moses-"Yes we can"---"which mountian are we going to climb now-Moses?---the rest all complained complained complained--can't do that etc. Well?

Rush and Laden have alot in common you think? They both like to shoot off their mouths, built their own army to cause divide, hatered, use us, our childrens future instead of building up hope and change for all. Spreading their words that only bring about more suffering and pain. No positve language offer nothing for the good of all, all concerned. Or ideas working toward for peace or solving positive solutions. Both are Racials. Both create only destruction is their main goal.

Rush saying--I want Obama to fail. Was sick sick sick. SAying he wants America to fail. What Rush wants our children to suffer, have no homes, no jobs, no health care, no education, work not for peace in the world? Sick--we call good evil now and evil good--Laden does not care either about his own people, children suffering also, but only himself.

One may think that Obama is getting soft but he is actually adding more weapons and ammo in the repertoire for fighting Al-Qaeda. A good way to fight them, since they are nefarious and will never face you in a conventional manner is 'to deny them the waters in which to swim'. Make it hard for them to get sympathisers,mobilise resources, and even to find new converts and recruits. The Al-Qaeda war is based on the simplstic theory of 'clash of civilisations'. Someone who bridges those civilisations including personal life and history as Obama does is the exact anti-thesis of that theory. Iam a Kenyan and we have suffered at the hands of Al-Qaeda just like Americans have.

"So Obama is reaching out to the Muslim World. Glad to see he used his first interview to talk to Muslims. Now they are all going to love us !! Problem solved. Wonder why he refused to speak to anyone at Fox News for eight months. I guess he figures fox's audience is not as "enlightned" as Al Arabiyas audience"
You're an idiot - during the campaign, he gave an exclusive three part interview to Bill O'Reilly - or did you forget about THAT one? No one said that the Muslim world will now love us, but unlike the Chimp in Chief - who brashly declared "Bring it on" - for which they did - Obama is reaching out...
but you're to stupid to get that...

Overall, this interview was a good thing. Obama should present a clean slate to the MidEast, and has to smooth ruffled Arab-American feathers from the campaign.

However, it would be nice if he could launch his new relationships and policies without trashing the previous ones in the process. It is possible to start fresh with a new approach WITHOUT bashing what allegedly was the old approach.

Obama has a fixed, stereotyped idea of what policies the last eight years have been. There has been multilateralism. There has not been dictatorialism. To present it as such is facile and disingenuous.

He did this in his inaugural speech as well. Low-class behavior for the first African-American president, who exhorted the rest of us to give up childish things.

Overall, this interview was a good thing. Obama should present a clean slate to the MidEast, and has to smooth ruffled Arab-American feathers from the campaign.

However, it would be nice if he could launch his new relationships and policies without trashing the previous ones in the process. It is possible to start fresh with a new approach WITHOUT bashing what allegedly was the old approach.

Obama has a fixed, stereotyped idea of what policies the last eight years have been. There has been multilateralism. There has not been dictatorialism. To present it as such is facile and disingenuous.

He did this in his inaugural speech as well. Low-class behavior for the first African-American president, who exhorted the rest of us to give up childish things.

Rush is NOT A COMEDIAN OR ENTERTAINER--soothsaying words for WHAT HE REALLY IS--RADICAL RECRUITING HIS OWN ARMY OF HATERED AND DIVIDE. Rush is no different then Ben Laden only difference is, one has a radio show and the other a cell phone. But they both live in their own world of darkness spitting out words of hatered and causing others to suffer. Rush wants the President in America to FAIL! Pray for this man. Like Laden causes his own people children to suffer and the innoncent killed because of the words that come out of their mouths.

Marsha - You are surely above the remarks you posted about Jews and Wall Street. Even children figure out that some people are nice or not, greedy or not and it is an individual thing. Like a pillow being ripped with feathers scattered, your words cannot be retracted and the damage is out there. Think a bit before spewing next time and perhaps ask yourself, "What good will this do?" before racist thoughts turn into written remarks.

American and Britain today are seen as weakened powers and as the cause of much of the present disaster. German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck blames " ""investment bankers""" and ""politicians"" (handful of men that can also destroy the whole world, you think?) in New York, Washington and London" whom he states were "MOTIVATED BY" and " Anglo -Saxon drive" for "EXCESSIVE GAIN" (greed) (Irish Times, September 25, 2008). Pray for all-we do we not have also are radicals?

Mr J said at 909am "Low-class behavior for the first African-American president, who exhorted the rest of us to give up childish things. Posted By: mrj | January 27, 2009 at 09:09 AM"
- you made me remember that Obama wouldn't even give up his precious wittle Blackberry and now he wants us to sacrifice and give up childish things -ha! On his behalf - I think it is the smart and right thing to do to give Muslims the chance to move toward us and reconcile. If they won't we can fight knowing it's their fault and if they do we can isolate the radicals who can't be reasonable. It's a win win strategy for us. P.S. did anyone else notice what a brownnoser Geithner was at his hearings? I think he's weak too.

HEADLINE === Mitchells Firm Lobbied for Dubais Ruler in ************ Case =====
Jan. 27 (Bloomberg) === George Mitchell, President Barack Obamas special Middle East ENVOY, was chairman of a law firm that was paid about $8 million representing Dubai?s ruler in connection with a child-trafficking lawsuit. =====
The DLA Piper law firm did legal and lobbying work on the case, which alleged that Dubais Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum and another official used children kidnapped from other countries to ride as jockeys in camel races. ==== The firm lobbied federal agencies, members of the U.S. House and about two dozen Senate offices, including those of Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2006 and 2007, according to Justice Department foreign-agent disclosures.

Well, let just look at the facts. For 8 years we have followed the republican agenda and where are we? Two wars, thousands dead, Isreal and Palestine still going at each other, the military destroyed, trillions of dollars in debt, every country looks at us with disdain and horror. I think I'm ready for something new, um, you know adult behavior for one.

Now can we see what is evil works and what is good works action, language used that only brings about hatered wars etc the difference? those who hide with saying I am a entertainer or comedian--all are liars deceivers to get their own words language hatered out there.

Is it true Rush L and Ben Laden are lost brothers? I think it could be true, both Rush L and his lost brother if true Ben Laden want AMERICA TO FAIL, don't they? I am a comedian and entertainer also Rush.

Heard McCain will "not agree" with stimulus package. Why? I think it is because McCain, a republican "is not getting" more "socialism tax reduction" for the RICH , from the middle class this time again. Bush lined their pockets and reversed the tax code, by giving the rich republicans lobbyist tax reduction, with "MASSIVE TAX LOOP HOLES" to boot and "raising the middle class taxes".

Not even one full week in office and he has already made us safer. He is so brillant! His experience and life story make it so much easier for America. We should be thankful for that. Those of you who can not see this need to think about it awhile. President Bush tried to have a listening tour by Karen Hughes to improve our relations with middle east countries. Barack Obama did it with one interview. Isolating ourselves does not make us safer. We can not write off an entire region and call it evil. That is just childish.

I'm not for sure if it's political posturing or not by Pres.O. However, it's nice to see him address the arab speaking world(fyi most of the world's muslims like myself are not arab). I do agree that he's getting "our" attention, to what extent remains to be seen.
I'd like to see him actually engage the "arab street" and find out what it's like to live in a totalitarian ruled society that is propped up by US foreign and military aid. Where presidential contenders are disappeared or imprisoned. When Obama addresses the suffering of the politically repressed, then maybe the 1.25 billion of us may take him a bit more seriously.

Marsha 9:42--worry more about what God thinks of you, not what mere mortals think of you and that goes both ways. For in the end God is your judge also and has you have judge others so will the same measurement of jugdment be used on you also. If your own conscience causes you "NO PAIN OR GUILT BE VERY WORRIED". God created and gave all a conscience which also has its purpose also--God is not, a foolish God! I will pray for you.

Obama has visited and lived in Indonisa. Obama is a listener with compassion for all. Knowing evil men live in all races, cultures and different faiths. It is but a handful of evil men in all that destroy the billions of lives for others.

whats your point windbag? I'm cool with God so don't try deflecting - I don't steal from decent people with no buffer and use my shyster lawyer friends to shield me from accountability. Just keepin it real Judas.

If anyone had a ounce of intelligence we would of understood Obama's statements and would not have to be spoon feed. Example you said: sounds like Obama would end support for Israel where in that whole conversation did you hear that? Said always would be our strong allies and have our prominate support.Support always..Get your self a good education first. WE wonder how wars get started--with our own words of ignorance. the brain is a terrible thing to waste.

Since the beginning of time every nation country on the earth have suffered, men woman children because of a few handful of men being "extreme radicals". All nations countries in each have them and so do we, have ours also.

The Arab people don't hate us as much as the media would like you to believe. Most live is a bubble with little access to news other then what is provided by their government. Our problem is with the Arab governments. Obama's interview did nothing to solve this problem, if anything, he made it worse

It's funny to see that our own American extremist right wingers are reacting to this in exactly the same way I imagine that hardcore al qaeda extremists are reacting to it.
Outrage! Anger! Concern! It's so obvious that the REAL reason they are so upset (both the right wingers and al qaeda) is because they know that Obama is proving wrong their SHARED philosophy that says the only way to resolve this war is to keep killing each other.
If only we could put all the extremist right wingers and all the a-hole al qaeda guys into their own little country and they could fight it out and leave the rest of the world alone!

"Our problem is with the Arab governments. Obama's interview did nothing to solve this problem, if anything, he made it worse Posted By: January 27, 2009 at 10:32 AM" -- How could he have made it worse by communicating respect and possible friendship to those people you claim are in a bubble? If the message gets to them it will open their minds and hearts despite any manipulation by their creepy dictator leaders? Such information being disseminated can only be a good thing. I might think otherwise if Obama had an obsequious or weak tone. There is strength in kindness and respect and people driven by fear and threats are usually weak. Possibly Jews...just kidding.

Cons/Republicans, tell us why is Israel so important (or unimportant) to the US? Go ahead and don't be afraid to make the usual ass of yourselves, because we would really like to know, even the most absurd explanation. Give us the most important reason you can come up with. And NO CHEATING; don't go googling and researching the subject. Be honest (as hard as it may be) and give us YOUR real understanding of the subject. I just want to know what the average republican/con thinks about this. The Great Republican Party At Large opines again. LOL. Boy this is going to be fun... I'll send a pizza to the first guy/gal with the right answer.

You are expecting us to say because it is our only safe military base in a sea of enemy Islam. Or perhaps you expect us to say because as Christians it is God ordained they be in Jerusalem. How about that even if the arrival of the state of Israel was ugly and done at gun point to the heads of the victim Palestinians unfairly - we started out a friend to Israel and we won't betray our friend - especially when they are surrounded by a sea of adrenalated savages - even though Israel has no chance of survival statistically over the long haul.

The Zionists own both parties. Bush was nothing but their puppet signing blank checks. Obama talks the talk of being independent, but then he brought Radical Rahm along to give witness to the Zionists that all is well.
It would be nice if he'd stand up to the blood thirsty Zionist terrorist of Israel and stop the Palestian Holocaust in the Palestinian Ghetto. No one at this point believes, though, that he'll do anything to stop the Zionists imnplementation of Hitler's tactics in the Warsaw Ghetton on the captive Palestinian population.
It's about time to wean Israel and let them and their G-d defend Israel without American tax dollars and American F-16s. Let that blood thirsty bunch show how much their G-d is with them in their perpetual state of war and their actions of genocide.

I must skidaddle but you make a good point Michael. Although I am actually proJewish and pro Palestinian it is heartbreaking that Palestinians were shoved off their land with guns at their heads because of the capricious decisions of third parties and those victims have lived in mud prisons now for decades. They have a right to be upset and when you are that victimized (Gaza is a prison) and no amount of talking ever gets you justice - wouldn't most people turn to violence when there is nothing else to turn to? Americans have not been properly given both sides of this issue and the USA now officially has a Jewish Mafia that holds the purse strings in many areas ---- like donations to politicians. Fair is fair - let the Palestinians have back at least half of what was stolen from them.

Posted By: Rickr | January 27, 2009 at 05:31 AM
Rickr, Veterans should know where they stand under the President?s watch when he elected Brian Hardy to a Veterans Steering Committee, and Erik Shinseki to Department of Veterans Affairs.
Mrs. Obama?s platform will be to support and advance the causes to military families. Therefore, your insinuation that the President slighted Veterans is flawed.
The President & Wife Inauguration undoubtedly started around 5 to 6 am, with kids to prepare as well. I?m sure there were other events he would have wanted to attend IF HE HAD THE NEXT DAY OFF.
However, since he needed to hit the ground running and go to work early the next day, as you probably would complain about if they didn?t, they chose to go to the Commander-In-Chief?s Ball, where there were military personnel there or did you miss that because you went to bed early, so you could get up and go to work the next day?

marsha you came close to a free pizza, one of your tracks is the right one, but I needed more details. I repeat, don't be afraid to state the absurd, and don't be afraid to make an ass of yourself, because the truth why cons/retards deem Israel as an absolute necessity is indeed ABSURD.

marsha you came close to a free pizza, one of your tracks is the right one, but I needed more details. I repeat, don't be afraid to state the absurd, and don't be afraid to make an ass of yourself, because the truth why cons/retards deem Israel as an absolute necessity is indeed ABSURD.

Sometimes its the "MESSENGER" and not the "Message" that makes the biggest difference.
******************************
For those who don't know: "During his presidency, former President George W. Bush gave several interviews to Al-Arabiya "
Posted By: pov | January 27, 2009 at 10:37 AM

The interview sounds nice, but in my opinion it will have little to no effect. It is about equivalent to trying to put our a fire with blow dryer. Obama isn't the first president to address the Arab people. It's funny how Obama supporters now think he is such a great and visionary leader for doing so.

Iran keeps marching towards developing a nuke. I hope he doesn't think these "feel good" interviews will change this. If he does, then we are all in a whole lot of trouble.

Wake up folks! Obama is doing a reverse psychology a P.R. blitz to make U.S. friendly to the Muslims, not the other way around. Knowing how gullible Americans, such conversion is a task that will meet more success since most Americans are totally in the dark about the Muslims.

We cannot control our own borders, illegal immirgrants coming in, with drugs, their weapons, plus having our own extreme radicals, but we are going to ditate to others. We have millions in population, they have billions in population. Going into these countries, destroying, killing innocent civilans and what destroying the whole country to get to what the nuts.

It seems from some of these comments that there is a bit of distrust, bordering on fear, of Muslims and the Muslim world. It should be known, as Obama rightly acknowledges, that the vast majority of Muslims want the same things as most other peoples: better lives for themselves and their children, peace, security, education & healthcare, rights to freedom, land, and opportunity. The Arab and Muslim lands have a history of peaceful coexistence among Christians, Jews and Muslims. Christians and Jews are not referred to as infidels, as someone erroneously pointed out, but as People of the Book, a distinct and respected position in the sight of Muslims.
What Obama has done by sitting down for an interview with Arab media could be far more effective in reducing terror than countless missiles against al-Qaeda. Sure, Bush also made statements about the United States not being against the Muslim world, but not with the respect and humility Obama has shown. May God (in Arabic, Allah) allow this interview to be a seed for peace, cooperation, and mutual good will between the United States and the rest of the world.

It seems from some of these comments that there is a bit of distrust, bordering on fear, of Muslims and the Muslim world. It should be known, as Obama rightly acknowledges, that the vast majority of Muslims want the same things as most other peoples: better lives for themselves and their children, peace, security, education & healthcare, rights to freedom, land, and opportunity. The Arab and Muslim lands have a history of peaceful coexistence among Christians, Jews and Muslims. Christians and Jews are not referred to as infidels, as someone erroneously pointed out, but as People of the Book, a distinct and respected position in the sight of Muslims.
What Obama has done by sitting down for an interview with Arab media could be far more effective in reducing terror than countless missiles against al-Qaeda. Sure, Bush also made statements about the United States not being against the Muslim world, but not with the respect and humility Obama has shown. May God (in Arabic, Allah) allow this interview to be a seed for peace, cooperation, and mutual good will between the United States and the rest of the world.

"It's so obvious that the REAL reason they are so upset (both the right wingers and al qaeda) is because they know that Obama is proving wrong their SHARED philosophy that says the only way to resolve this war is to keep killing each other." -- John in Chicago

Obama intends to "share" 30,000 more American troops with the Muslims fighting us in Afghanistan. We must assume, since it is the Obama that is sending them, that they are not being sent to kill anyone, but to serve as extras in a remake of "We Are The World"

Yea, an Arab and Muslim hiding a tail under my cloths! I read some of the comments that bashes the president for talking to Muslims (the undeveloped species) I wonder don't they see what we've been through for eight years? we have been slaughtered like sheeps... oh I forgot... I am hiding this tail under my cloths. But as a member of the undeveloped species I wouldn't give the speech of Mr. Obama if my country was swiming in the blood of two million innocent people for years, I would apologize for what I did to people. But you know, civilized people never apologize for their crimes.

after reading through all these posts I would like to point a few things out. 1) Rush L has nothing to do with this, 2) right wing/left wing bashing is contrary to the presidents message of a new way forward, and 3) although past presidents have spoken to al-arabiya, it wasn't their first interview. Showing respect for a large portion of the world population and trying to set a new tone in attitude toward them dosn't mean that anyone has forgotten 9/11. Yes, it is possible that the interview won't change anything, but it can't hurt. If there is any way to reach out to the muslim world to show that we understnad the differance between Muslims and the radical terrorists who live among them, to try to improve our relationship, than shoudn't we try? This may only be a first step, but it is a first step. what comes next will speak volumes. I personally don't believe you can win a war on terror with guns alone. Diplomacy, public or otherwise is always vital. P.S. the vast majority of Muslims have never had anything to do with terrorism and to compare this interview to meeting with Hitler is offensive.

Would you leave the man alone? He is trying to solve things out; don?t you want things to be solved? I read his economical plan and it is great it is going to lift you up, and with this interview he is patting our shoulders to keep you safe not because he is in love with Muslims, WE ARE NOT HIS PEOPLE, it is you. You are living far away from the world and you don?t even know what you have done to people, you don?t even know how much people hate you now, our wounds are still open, we had 1.5 million Iraqis killed 5 million Iraqis expelled, about 750 hundred Afghanis killed, and these eight years which was a hell for us ended with Gaza massacre where our children and babies were burned with phosphorus and DIME bombs, and it is all because of you: your taxes, your votes and your weapons? YOUR FULL SUPPORT TO ISRAEL, Israel will not last for a moment if the states vanished. And this fierce vicious war on ?terror? doesn?t make you any safer, on the contrary it inflames hatred and a desire for retaliation, now as I said YOUR MAN is patting our shoulders to calm our rage and it is all for your interests, he is not our president, and he doesn?t care for our interests, he still announces his support to that racist fascist entity called Israel while we are still searching for the corpses of our children in the devastation, but he knows how does it feel, he knows how angry and bitter we are and he wants a time to lift you up and clean the internal mess Bush created before he leaves office and he doesn?t want to face another external rage from the wounded Muslim world. WHAT KIND OF MINDS YOU HAVE? Can?t you see what is he doing for your own sake? Who do you think yourselves to kill all this amount of people for three thousands and believe that people will not do whatever it takes to retaliate? If you are still bleeding from 9/11 this should tell you about our injury, we have been collectively punished for the deeds of a movement, it is a movement, it is not an elected government, it is not an elected administration, we don?t pay taxes for al-Qaeda, they don?t represent except handful hundreds who are members of the movement, yet we have been showered with cluster bombs for something that we are not responsible for, and you elected this moron called Bush twice, you paid him taxed to kill people, occupy their lands and arm Israel with illegal weapons, and you still talk about 9/11?
In terms of 9/11 you have three choices, first you think that it is not fair to kill all civilians, and you don?t know what has been done to people in your name and with your money, so we are telling you now, you have to take a step to stop this constant killing, (we hoped that you want to change this killing policy when you elected a democratic but when I read many comments I figured out that you don?t even regret what you did to people) and resort to the change YOU CAN, you are not a helpless poor people suffering from dictatorship, you claim that you are a democracy, that makes you responsible for the policy of your government, that makes your hands stained with the blood of all these civilians. Then stop the strategy of killing and arming this terrorist military base called Israel, at least because you deserve your own taxes.
Second choice, you know what is happening in your name, with your taxes and veto in the security council, and you prefer to spend money on burning babies rather than your own health care, so don?t you ever wail over 9/11, if this is the case then 9/11 is more than justified.
The third choice is that you think that you are above humanity, you can kill but it is not acceptable that you are killed! That makes you in urgent need for help, we can send you a huge number of psychiatrists (we have lots of them curing the collective trauma affected Arabs because of your ?war on ****ing terror?) or just announce the states a big mental asylum.
Choosing to kill people and scorn them will never keep you safe, and Obama knows how do we feel after eight years of occupation, massacres, neo-holocausts, guantanamo and Abu Gharib. What do you want him to do? Go on kicking and punching people till they explode in your faces?
That man is a hell of intelligent, and you are standing in his way showering him with these silly accusations: you are Muslim? you are Arab? you are cheapening the presidency talking to those garbage. Okay, go on, blinded with hatred, distracting him with this stupidity and standing as an obstacle in his route. Nice job: destroy your country. That will be even better, that will prove that evil returns to its source.

Posted By: The Arab and Muslim with the tail again | January 28, 2009 at 04:55 AM

The unfortunate Palestinian Holocaust at the hands of the Zionists and the Zionist-American War Against Muslims is something that we, the ordinary people of the United States apologize for. We are a captive people with greedy, weak-kneed politicians that won't stand up to the Zionist Jews in our country.

It is the greed of the Zionist Jews and the equally greedy (and ignorant) neo-cons of this country (whether they be George Bush, Dick Cheney, Joe Lieberman, or Hillary Clinton) that drag us into wars we don't believe in. It is their greed that leads us there.

Obama is a fresh face, but with Radical Rahm and the rest of the Zionist Jews in his administration we don't stand a chance. Those same Jews have run (ruined) our economy for years and no one will stand up and say "Enough". Not even after they do it openly and blatantly as in this latest round of "bail outs".

We (they) are now pushing into northern Pakistan. It is a strategy they have employed from the beginning to secure a route to the Caspian Sea and the oil there. It is an attempt to secure a pipeline route that does not go thru the old Soviet Union. The Caspian Sea is landlocked and thousands of miles from the ocean. It requires a secure pipeline to get that oil out. That's what Afghanistan (and now Pakistan) is about now, to get that oil out without going thru Vladimir Putin.

It's all greed. The Israelis and the neo-cons. Unfortunately politicians in general are weak, greedy people. America hasn't had a strong leader in years that stood for the American people. The Israeli lobby runs America.

And the blood-thirsty Israelis are killing innocent Palestinians in a blatant attempt to further anti-semitic (Zionist revulsion) around the world. They do this as it is their only means of insuring further migrations of various Jews into the "homeland", otherwise the population there will die off as there isn't enough Jewish births to keep them in the majority. It is all a blood-thirsty design to further the population of Israel with Jews.

The Zionist aren't concerned with Palestian or Jews. Those ordinary Jews are simply cannon fodder to further the aim of the Zionists and their greed.

"Studies of immigration records reflect increased immigration to the Zionist state during times of increased anti-Semitism. Without a continued inflow of Jewish immigrants to the state of "Israel", it is estimated that within a decade the Jewish population of the Zionist state will become the minority."

"In order to maintain a Jewish majority in the state of "Israel", its leaders promote anti-Semitism throughout the world to "encourage" Jews to leave their homelands and seek "refuge"." (Taken from True Torah Jews against Zionism).

I say to the people of the Mid-
East that we apologize. But it isn't just us that have self-serving politicians. There are many Jews that dispise the Zionists as much, if not more, than we do. Hitler offered to let Jewish families leave for a payment of $1000 a family and forfiet their belongings. The World Jewish Congress in America turned him down.....twice. The Torah Jews have blamed the Zionists for years for the Holocaust. They also blame the Zionists and their boycott of German products in the mid 1930's for producing the feeling of ill-will toward Jews in general in Germany that allowed Hitler to come to power.

And in the Muslim countries things aren't much better. Personal greed is what motivates politicians regardless of where they are. That is why our revered statesman Thomas Jefferson suggested we spill a little political blood every so often to renew individual freedoms. I think it's way past time we took that to heart.

Michael, thank you for the comment, but I want to tell you that Arab politicians are disgusting, they don?t even think of interests they think how to lick the shoes of any new American administration to make sure that they will stay on their chairs. We don?t expect from Americans to save the planet, we just expect from you to put pressure on your government to cut foreign aids. These foreign aids destroyed the world, it kept dictatorships on our backs for decades in the Arab world, it arms Zionists with weapons to barbeque babies and it keeps you in need for health care while your economy is collapsing. Why should you work hard to pay taxes for dictators and Zionists? You need this money and we need you not to pay us money. Peoples agree on things and politicians agree on other things, but we agree on justice and they agree on greed as you say, are we going to let them overcome us?